Ethics Up Front

Managing reputations is an important part of leadership in everything from small companies to governments.

A business is only as good as its reputation. And now, more than ever, we are living in a world where reputations can be made, and destroyed, overnight. It’s not just about keeping shareholders happy anymore – interest in corporate governance is becoming important to ever-growing segments of the population. Company leaders would be wise to take heed – this is an area that demands constant, rigorous attention, because the marketplace is the ultimate compliance officer.

But what is good corporate governance? In its simplest terms, it’s a commitment to openness, honesty and transparency. It’s a willingness to adhere to a written and unwritten code of ethics and moral values, with every decision guided by independence, accountability and fairness. What’s important to note is that laws and regulations alone cannot guarantee fair practices. Every individual in the company – from top to bottom – must have a willingness to act ethically.

Learn from mistakes